The Kingdom - Visitor vs Resident
Hi, my peeps! I've been thinking about the Kingdom again. I know it's people but let us think for a moment about this as we have been learning about "types" of people.
Today, I was thinking more about people and kingdoms. You know, let's call countries kingdoms for this.
People who are American and visit France are foreigners, yes? The Bible tells us this is not our home, because in JOH 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOH 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Since we are just "visiting" this place called Earth (if we are born again Christians), that means we should act like the Kingdom People we are.
Stay with me here.....French people come to visit America. They continue on with their French habits, speech, or whatever in as much as is possible. Oh, they may have to learn a bit of our language to get by, may have to adjust a bit to our customs, but in no way are they American. They are in America but not of America. Our French person would realize they are just visiting and not entangle themselves in America. They wouldn't give up their French food preferences, their French style of clothing, their things that make them French! They will be different and any American would probably be able to notice right a way that they are not American.
So, why should it not be the same with God's Kingdom People? Why shouldn't we talk like the Kingdom we are from? We are God's Kingdom People! Why shouldn't we listen to appropriate music, TV, language, etc. God's Kingdom People? Why shouldn't our speech be like God's Kingdom People filled with love, mercy, hope, edification, etc.?
Now, I'm not talking that there is some "Christian" uniform or language (ie French vs English), but what I am saying is, are we holding fast to our real country (Kingdom) or are we so like the place we visit (Earth) that people can't tell we are Heaven bound?
Something to consider, my peeps.
Today, I was thinking more about people and kingdoms. You know, let's call countries kingdoms for this.
People who are American and visit France are foreigners, yes? The Bible tells us this is not our home, because in JOH 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOH 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Since we are just "visiting" this place called Earth (if we are born again Christians), that means we should act like the Kingdom People we are.
Stay with me here.....French people come to visit America. They continue on with their French habits, speech, or whatever in as much as is possible. Oh, they may have to learn a bit of our language to get by, may have to adjust a bit to our customs, but in no way are they American. They are in America but not of America. Our French person would realize they are just visiting and not entangle themselves in America. They wouldn't give up their French food preferences, their French style of clothing, their things that make them French! They will be different and any American would probably be able to notice right a way that they are not American.
So, why should it not be the same with God's Kingdom People? Why shouldn't we talk like the Kingdom we are from? We are God's Kingdom People! Why shouldn't we listen to appropriate music, TV, language, etc. God's Kingdom People? Why shouldn't our speech be like God's Kingdom People filled with love, mercy, hope, edification, etc.?
Now, I'm not talking that there is some "Christian" uniform or language (ie French vs English), but what I am saying is, are we holding fast to our real country (Kingdom) or are we so like the place we visit (Earth) that people can't tell we are Heaven bound?
Something to consider, my peeps.
Replies
I heard a radio comment yesterday a man said his adult son did not want to become a Christian because his Dad\'s Christian friends disrespected him much more than his old drinking buddies from his old life....it gave me pause, we do need to act as Jesus has taught us, not just give lip service to it!
Amen, my dear Nan. Amen. God has dealt with me greatly that I am to love. He didn\'t say only the pretty, only the clean, only the nice smelling, only the same as you, etc. He said THIS 1 NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE YOU, LOVE. Yeah, that\'s the short version. ROFLOL